News Flash! Are you sitting down? A startling bit of information just came to my attention that may change the whole discussion of health-care in this country. As it turns out, more people are dying every day who have health insurance than those who are dying who do not.
In fact, statistics are beginning to point to the possibility that even rich people with health insurance are dying on a daily basis. Only time, and a continued study of this emerging trend will bear out if it's true or not, but I think, if it is, it may change the on-going debate in this country. May I suggest, in addition to these revealing statistics, that if people without health insurance would practice good eating habits and otherwise attempt to maintain a healthy lifestyle, that they would live longer than someone with health insurance that does not take care of themselves. It is a proven fact that lifestyle is more of a factor in a person's health than whether they have health insurance or not. I am among those who could live without health insurance. Since my employer requires I accept health insurance offered only on their terms, (that is to say they do not offer any options for those wishing to receive even just a portion of the cost associated with their health insurance in the form of increased compensation),I do have health insurance. And, as long as I am able to afford it, I believe it's a good investment. I just wish I could buy my health insurance myself. In fact, I wish we were all in charge of our own health insurance. Why? Hello "free market". As with anything the government gets involved in our current insurance climate is really mucked up. (did I spell that right?) If I could buy just the insurance I wanted and could "shop" around for doctors and services I believe the costs would come down dramatically. Certainly on a case by case basis the costs would come down. I don't need maternity coverage. Nor do I want chiropractic coverage. I could have purchased a high deductible policy when I was young and put money into a Health Savings Account which could well have grown to a sufficient amount that I could be considered self insured except for those extended hospital stays which my inexpensive, high deductible policy would cover. Instead, I'm trapped in a system that will not allow me to take responsibility for, or, control of, my own health-care. A system that will not allow society to bring the most powerful and effective cost controls known to man to bear on our health-care system. A system whose most distinctive characteristic is to empower the ruling elite which is more and more in the position of giving us our opinion when they want it. In case that last line looks a little funny just think back to a scene from the Godfather.
Your homework for this week is to look into Health Savings Accounts and to start now to plan your escape from our perilous health-care system. If you are too old to pursue this worthy endeavor I am indeed sorry. God help us all.
